Valve for steam-engines



(No Model.) I

I S. P. BLACKBURN.

, VALVE FOR STEAM ENGINES.

No. 347,914. 7 Patented Aug. 24,1886.

I I i g. /////////A7////A zwiw. 7 l 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL PERCY BLACKBURN, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

VALVE FOR STEAM-ENGINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 347,914, dated August24, 1886.

Application filed November 5, 1885. Serial No. 181,878. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL PERcv BLACK- BURN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and' State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Valves for-Stea m-Enin Whole or in part of a mineral fibersuch as asbestus,mineral wool, or similar material\vhich is capable of being formed intoa yielding and easily-seated valve of equal adaptability to a rubbervalve and of much greater durability.

The invention will be readily understood by reference to theaccompanying drawings, of which Figure l is a sectional elevation of oneof theimproveiil valves. Fig. 2 is a plan of it.

The valve A is made of one or more layers or sheets,a, of any felted,plaited,woven, laid, or similar fabricated goods'formed either in wholeor in part of a mineral fabric or material-such, for instance, asasbestos, mineral wool, or any similar fiberand is fabricated eitherentirely of such fiber, or a mixture of such fibers combined with anysuitable vegetable or animal fibersuch, for instance, as hair, wool,cotton, hemp, jute, ramie, &c. These fabrics, after having been firstformed in large sheets or pieces, are cut into such sized pieces a asare desired for the size of any particular valve, and the pieces a soformed are placed and laid together, so as to form the complete valve Aof the size and shape required, and in this position the said pieces orlayers a are sewed, stitch-ed, riveted, or otherwise fastened together,and they are apertured or cut out either before or after they arefastened together for the reception of the valve-rod B.

The valveA may be formed of one single piece or sheet, a, by felting orlaying it up of sufficient thickness to form the completed valve. Ifsmaller layers or sheets, a,be used,

the said smaller layers or sheets, a, may all be formed of a homogeneousmineral fiber, or a mixture of such fibers, or a mixture of mineralfibers and'either animal or vegetable fibers, or with both animal andvegetable fibers.

Another modification of the construction of the valve is to makealternate layers or sheets a of mineral fibers, and the other layers orsheets a of animal or vegetable fibers, as the case may be.

The mineral fibers herein described are unaffected by heat or wet, andconsequently much more durable and desirable for this purpose than anyindia-rubber or other soft valve which has ever heretofore been used.

I am aware that asbestus has heretofore been used for valves in the formof balls or in a single sheet. Valves so constructed become quicklyfrayed out, broken, or otherwise destroyed, while valves formedaccording to my invention, being securely sewed or otherwise fastenedtogether, are strong and durable.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A valve for steam-engines, pumps, and similar devices,formed offelted, plaited, laid, or woven goods consisting of any suitable mineralfibersuch as abestus, mineral wool,&c. and a suitable inclosing-case,the whole being sewed or stitched together substantially as shown anddescribed.

2. A valve for steam-engines, pumps, and

similar devices, formed of layers of any suitable mineral fiber, and aniuclosing-case, the whole being securely fastened together by sewing,substantially asshown and described. 3. A valve for steam-engines,pumps, and similar devices, formed of layers' of fibrous material, saidlayers being partly of mineral fiber and partly of animal or vegetablefiber, the whole being securely fastened together by sewing,substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL PERCY BLACKBURN. Witnesses:

WM. A. KNOWLTON, ALFRED R. BAXTER.

